Tooth shade indicator apparatus and method for evaluating tooth shade

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for monitoring tooth whitening treatments and status is shown in the form of a toothbrush with at least one panel with a scale of whiteness indicators. Whiteness indicia can be a removable or permanent insert disposed in a slot in the head, body or handle of a transparent toothbrush or an inlay in the surface of the brush. Other information such as appointment times, dentist information, instructions and images can be placed on the inserts. Comparison of the indicia with the teeth allows the user to evaluate the progress of treatments.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 61/243,525 filed on Sep. 17, 2009, incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains generally to scales and gauges, and moreparticularly to toothbrushes with tooth whiteness indicia.

2. Description of Related Art

The desire for straight white teeth has created a large market forwhitening preparations and dental practitioners. Teeth are an importantpart of ones cosmetic appearance. Tooth discoloration may result fromthe presence of substances that are found in food, beverages, medicines,tobacco, blood and salivary fluid. Traumatic injuries may also destroyassociated nerves causing the injured tooth to darken. Suchdiscoloration is likely to remain on the teeth without externalintervention.

The tooth structures that can have a stained appearance are enamel,dentin, and the acquired tooth surface pellicle. The enamel of the toothis primarily formed from inorganic material in the form ofhydroxyapatite crystals and normally contains a small percentage oforganic material in the form of collagen.

Dentin, in the other hand, is composed of about 20% protein includingcollagen and the rest consisting of inorganic material, predominantlyhydroxyapatite crystals, similar to that found in the enamel. Theacquired pellicle consists of a proteinaceous layer that forms on thesurface of the tooth enamel that can be removed with intensive toothcleaning. The pellicle readily reforms after a period of time afterbrushing. Artificial dental structures such as crowns or dentures canalso be stained if the pellicle adheres to the surface or by exposure tocompounds that react with the artificial structure.

Staining of the overlying pellicle can result from exposure to compoundssuch as tannins and other polyphenolic compounds that can become trappedand tightly bound to the pellicle layer on the surface of the teeth.Removal of the pellicle through mechanical tooth cleaning will usuallyremove staining of the pellicle.

Tooth staining can also occur when the enamel or dentin is penetrated bystaining compounds from external exposures or from sources within thetooth. For example, acid etching can occur on the surface of a tooth orartificial dental structure from exposure to tomatoes or acidic fruitjuices and the like that roughen the surface of the tooth and change thecolor of the tooth. These types of stains cannot be removed by simplemechanical methods of tooth cleaning. Chemical preparations that arecapable of penetrating into the structure of the tooth are required toeliminate the stains. Staining of the enamel or dentin is generally moreintractable and difficult to remove than staining of the pellicle.However, some intrinsic staining that occurs with teeth or artificialdental appliances cannot be removed with mechanical or chemical meansand can only be removed cosmetically by covering the tooth with a bondedveneer or crown.

Accordingly, compositions for removing stains or increasing whitenessgenerally fall into two categories. The first category contains gels,pastes, or liquids, mouth abrasive rubs, chews, rinses and toothpastesthat are mechanically agitated at the surface of the stained tooth inorder to abrasively erode the stained pellicle. The second categoryincludes gels, pastes, or liquids that use a chemical process while incontact with the surface of the tooth for a specified period of time toaccomplish the tooth-whitening effect. The chemical process is typicallyoxidative or enzymatic.

Among the many chemical strategies that are available for removing ordestroying tooth stains, the most effective compositions contain anoxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, carbinide or peroxols. Theseactive compounds are used to attack the staining molecules in the toothto render them colorless, water-soluble, or both.

Chemical tooth whitening treatments generally fall into two categories:(1) tooth treatments applied and supervised by a dental professional;and (2) home tooth whitening kits with materials that are applied by anon-professional user.

Professional tooth bleaching normally takes place in the dentist'soffice and usually involves one to several visits to the dentist'soffice. However, these treatments can take place at any location.Professional whitening treatments may also involve laser lightexposures, heat lamps, high intensity light or ultraviolet lightactivated systems that are applied by the dentist. Mixed A and Bbasecoat solution systems may also be professionally applied.

One of the more popular approaches to whitening the teeth of a patientapplied outside of the office involves the construction of a customdental bleaching tray for the patient from an impression made of thepatient's teeth by the dental professional. An oxidizing gel is usedwith the appliance that is worn intermittently by the patient over aperiod of about 2 weeks to about 6 months, depending upon the severityof tooth staining. Other gel systems are applied to tooth surfaces froma period of hours to days. These preparations can be reapplied by theindividual patient as staining reappears on the teeth over time asdirected by the dentist.

There are also many commercial kits for use by non-professionals thatare available on the retail market to persons interested in whiteningtheir teeth. These commercial products typically provide a kit thatincludes a generic appliance that fits over the teeth of the user and acontainer of bleaching gel. One major problem encountered with thegeneric appliance is that there is a poor fit with the teeth leavinggaps between the teeth and the appliance as compared with an appliancefitted by a dentist. The poorer fit results in the need for more gel toinsure that the tooth surfaces are appropriately covered. Otherapproaches include the use of tapes or strips and brush on pastes thatare applied to the front surfaces of the teeth.

The application to the teeth of whitening compositions known in the artmay have a number of known adverse side effects. Bleaching compositionscan cause tooth sensitivities, for example. The soft tissues of thepatient, such as the lips, tongue and gingival tissues should beisolated from the oxidizing agent to avoid exposure and irritation anddamage. The penetration of whitening agents through the enamel anddentin to the pulpal chamber risks damage to the pulpal tissue with somecompositions.

Prolonged exposure of the teeth to some whitening compositions canresult in demineralization and solubilization of calcium in the enamellayers of the teeth. Ingestion of oxidant gels that leach from thedental appliance can be hazardous to the patient if not administeredwith care. Free radicals may have an affiliation with some oral cancers.In addition, irregular or inconsistent bleaching can occur that leaveslines or spots on the teeth or differences in shade between differentteeth.

Tooth “brightness” can be measured in a number of different scales. Onescale that is commonly accepted is the VITA Shade Guide. A total of 16tooth shades constitute the entire range of colors between very light(B1) to very dark (C4) in the VITA Guide. It has been shown that thesatisfaction of the patient with a tooth whitening procedure increaseswith the number of tooth shade changes that are achieved. A minimumchange of about 4 to 5 VITA shades is usually desirable, but the extentof color change is subjective on the part of the patient. Otherreference scales may have a fewer or greater number of increments thanthe VITA guide.

Dental professionals may also have guides or machines that evaluate filmof the teeth of the patient or monitor the color of the teeth directly.For example, another scheme provides an array of color samples on astick for comparison with teeth. This system uses a uniform color scalesuch as the CIELAB psychometric color system.

There is a need for monitoring of tooth color an indicator of thesuccess of a long term treatment scheme so that over treatments withhome professional or non-professional kits can be avoided. In addition,changes from the optimum shades can be indentified, indicating the needfor a new course of whitening treatments.

The present invention satisfies these needs, as well as others, byproviding an apparatus and method for quickly and accurately obtainingcolor comparisons and endpoint evaluations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to an apparatus which can be used tomonitor the progress of tooth whitening procedures and to remind thepatient or user to brush their teeth. Although a toothbrush is used asan illustration, other items such as a wand, tongue scraper, oralirrigator, gum stimulator and the like can be used to house a whiteningguide according to the invention.

In one embodiment, a toothbrush is provided with a whiteness scale thatis disposed in a transparent handle of the brush. The user can monitorthe success of whitening treatments by comparing the scale to theirteeth. Whitening treatments are preferably performed by a dentist.However, a home treatment performed by the user with the use of awhitening kit that contains the toothbrush with whiteness indicia,information and treatment materials is also contemplated.

In another embodiment, a panel insert with a whiteness scale is placedin a slot in the handle, body or head of the toothbrush is provided. Thescale can be selected to show the beginning point of the treatments andsuccessive improvements to a shade goal. The opposite side of the insertfrom the scale may also include instructions for use, warnings,information regarding the dentist, the name of the patient, time anddate of the next appointment with the dentist, images and otherinformation directed to the user.

The slots containing the inserts are preferably sealed so that liquidand bacteria do not collect in the slots. More than one slot and insertcan be present in the toothbrush to convey information to the user. Inanother embodiment, the panel insert can be removed by the user andreplaced within the slots in the brush. The inserts that can be removedare preferably made of durable material such as plastic, porcelain orcoated metal. The panel inserts may be visible through a transparentbrush or through windows in the body or handle of the brush.

In a further embodiment, whiteness indicia in the form of colored piecesare inlaid in the surface of the head or body of the brush. The colorinlays can also be placed in a detachable head such as an electrictoothbrush head. The inlays are compared with the teeth in the mirror tomonitor progress.

An aspect of the invention is to provide a toothbrush with whitenessindicia to evaluate and monitor the status of the teeth or the progressof treatments.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a whiteness guide that isreadily accessible, easy to use and promotes good dental hygiene.

Further aspects of the invention will be brought out in the followingportions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is forthe purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the inventionwithout placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to thefollowing drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a toothbrush with whiteness indicia permanentlyfixed in the handle according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a side view of a toothbrush with a transverse slot containingan insert with whiteness indicia according to a second embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C are top views of the toothbrush embodiment of FIG.3A with the insert outside of and within the handle respectively.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are side views of another toothbrush embodiment withan insert disposed along the central axis of the brush and with theinsert removed from the brush respectively.

FIG. 4C and FIG. 4E are top views of the toothbrush of FIG. 4A with theinsert removed and in place in a slot along the central axis of thebrush.

FIG. 5A is a bottom view of a toothbrush with whiteness indicia disposedin a slot in the head of the toothbrush in another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C are side and top views of the toothbrush embodimentof FIG. 5A with the whiteness indicia inserts outside of the slot withinthe head of the brush.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are back side views of an alternative embodiment ofthe invention with a handle insert in the inserted and removedconditions respectively.

FIG. 7A is an exploded bottom view of an alternative embodiment of atoothbrush with a detachable brush head with inlaid whiteness indiciaand handle with an informational insert.

FIG. 7B is a bottom view of an alternative detachable head shown in FIG.7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

By way of example and not of limitation, the apparatus of the presentinvention generally comprises a toothbrush with a scale with a range oftooth colors that can be compared with the teeth of the user by bringingthe scale in proximity with the teeth and viewed while the user islooking in the mirror. The user can then exercise appropriate judgmentregarding continued use of whitening agents and whether additionaltreatment by a professional is warranted. Additionally, some diseasesmay have symptoms that have an effect on the color of the tooth or onoral health. A dental professional can screen patients for problems whenthe color change guide alerts the patient and has brought them back tothe dentist for an examination due to the change in tooth shade.

Although a toothbrush is used as an illustration, other items such as awand, tongue scraper, oral irrigator or dental floss holder ortoothpaste cap or tube can be used to house a whitening guide accordingto the invention.

Turning now to FIG. 1 through FIG. 7A, several embodiments of theinvention 10 are generally shown to illustrate the invention. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a toothbrush 10 is depicted withwhiteness indicia permanently affixed in the handle. The toothbrush 10,has a toothbrush head 12 with a neck 14 and body 16 that includes ahandle. The handle or body 16 of the brush is preferably transparent topermit the view of the color scale 18 that has a range of increments,for example, ranging from 1 to 10 or from 10 to 1 as seen in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the scale 18 is a thin panel with atop surface 20 and a bottom surface 22. The scale of colors or whitenessindicia has individual elements that are tooth shaped in thisembodiment. In another embodiment, the tooth shaped indicia are threedimensional. However, the whiteness indicia of panel 18 can be anydesired size and shape. The background surface 20 of panel 18 can alsobe transparent or opaque.

In one preferred embodiment, the bottom surface 22 of the panel containsinformation directed to the specific user of the brush. Such informationmay include instructions for use, warnings, the date of the nextappointment or the name and address of the dentist. Advertising couldalso be placed on the bottom side 22 of the scale panel 18.

The plane of the scale panel 18 is facing perpendicular to the bristlesof the brush in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. However, the plane of the panel 18can be placed at any suitable angle with respect to the brush head 12 topermit easy viewing of the scale 18 aligned with the teeth.

One preferred scale for panel 18 is a 3D Master shade system that isbased on the CIELAB psychometric color system. In this system there arethree constituents that together constitute a “shade”. They are anL-Value (lightness level), a-Chroma (color saturation) and b-Hue (amountof red or yellow). All of the shades included in the 3D Master shadesystem fall within the following values of these three constituents:65<L<87, 0.3<a<9 and 5.5<b<30. Although this scale is preferred, manydifferent scales could be used as whiteness indicia.

Turning now to FIG. 3A through FIG. 3C, an alternative embodiment 30 isshown. In this embodiment, the transparent toothbrush body 32 has atransverse slot 34 that is configured to receive a panel 36 that has acolor scale 38 as shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C. The slot 34 can belocated at any point within the body 32 of the toothbrush 30. Althoughone slot 34 and one panel 36 are shown in FIG. 3A through FIG. 3C, morethan one slot and more than one panel can be put in the handle of thebrush 30.

Different panels 36 with different scales 38 or other indicia ofbrightness can be placed in the slot 34 over time. The panel 36 can havea color scale 38 on one side or both sides of the panel.

In another embodiment, the body 32 is opaque and has windows over thepanels 36 so that the surface of the panel can be viewed through thewindow when the panel is installed in place. An opposing window can alsobe present so that both sides of the panel 36 can be viewed from theexterior.

The panel 36 is preferably secured in slot 34 with a sealant so thatwater or toothpaste or other fluids will not be retained in the slot asa location for the growth of bacteria or as a collection point for otherorganic or inorganic materials. The sealant disposed in slot 34, as seenin FIG. 3C, can provide a temporary reversible seal such as withsilicone or it can be a permanent seal such as fast curing epoxy.

The panel 36 shown in FIG. 3B, has a color or whiteness scale 38 on oneside of the panel so that the indicia can be compared with the teeth.The indicia can include the starting color and one or more incrementalgoal shades to a final shade at the opposite end to allow monitoring ofprogress with each treatment.

The side of panel 36 that is opposite the side with the scale can alsohave a scale to effectively increase the length of the scale. In anotherembodiment, appointment dates, dentist office information, instructions,advertisements, graphics or other printed information may be placedsurface of the panel. If more than one slot and panel are used, avariety of information can be provided by the dentist to the patient orgeneral information if the brush is part of a home whitening kit.

A second alternative embodiment 40 is shown in FIG. 4A through FIG. 4D.In this embodiment, a toothbrush 40, is provided with a body 42 with abrush head 44 and a transparent handle 46. In the embodiment shown,there is a longitudinal slot 48 in the handle 46 of body 44 of thetoothbrush 40 that mates with an insert member 50. Member 50 has a grip52 and a panel 54 that slides in the slot 48. The panel 54 of slidinginsert member 50 is generally planar and has a scale 52 on one or bothsides of the panel 54.

The back side of the insert member 50 can have the name, address andtelephone number of the dentist or other marketing information as wellas the date and time of the next appointment of the patient as areminder. The insert panel 54 could also have the name of the patient ora color so that the brush can be easily identified as that of thepatient.

A variety of different scales 56 can be used and interchanged withdifferent members 50. In one embodiment, the panel 54 of insert member50 is cylindrical and the indicia 56 scale consists of rings ofdifferent shades of white. The slot 48 in handle 46 is tubular toreceive the ringed cylinder of panel 54 of insert member 50 in thisembodiment.

In one embodiment, the insert member 50 is secured to the handle 46 witha fastening scheme such as interlocking threads, slip and click or abayonet mount to make the slot 48 and insert 50 water tight and bacteriafree. Grip 52 may also have a seal.

The insert member 50 with panel 54 are preferably made of durablematerials such as plastic, porcelain, coated metal etc. that canwithstand multiple removals and insertions into the slot 48 as well ascleanings and information applications. The insert member 50 may also betransferred to a new brush and may have a useful life that is longerthan the brush.

A third embodiment 60 is shown in FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C. Thetoothbrush in this illustration a toothbrush body 62 with a brush head64 and a brush handle 66. The brush handle 66 can be a transparent solidhandle that includes a laminated strip that has information such as thename and address of the dentist, instructions for use, or othermaterial. In another embodiment, the brush handle 66 has an insert suchas insert member 50 shown in FIG. 4B or panel 36 shown in FIG. 3B thatcontains information such as appointment information, name and addressof the dentist, instructions for use or other desired informationdirected to the user.

The brush head 64 has a slot 68, as shown in FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C, thathas an opening at the top or the side of the brush head 64. The slot 68is configured to receive a panel 70 with a whiteness scale 72. In oneembodiment, the panel 70 is permanently fixed within the head 64. Thepanel can include several different whiteness indicators 72 to allow theuser to evaluate the progress of treatments or to recognize a change incolor of the teeth over time from a selected ideal shade.

The panels 36, 50 and 70 shown in each of the embodiments describedabove are preferably color stable over time, formed of durable materialand are resistant to bacteria. The panels or chips may also belaminated. The chips or panels are preferably opaque with whitenessindicia on the surface to give a true color when the indicator is placednext to the teeth. In one embodiment, the replaceable guide panels havea seal to keep out liquids and to stop the formation of bacterialcolonies. The chips may also be permanently placed by the dentist in thebrush or wand so that the guide will not be lost or used improperly bythe patient.

In one embodiment, the panels 30, 50 or 70 are made from sinteredporcelains such as feldspathic porcelain, leucite reinforced feldspathicporcelain, alumina-based porcelain, magnesia-based porcelain orzirconia-based porcelain. In another embodiment, the panels are madefrom glass-ceramics, including mica-based glass-ceramics,hydroxyapatite-based glass-ceramics or lithia-based glass-ceramics. Thepanels may also be constructed from thermoplastic polymers such asPolymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS),High impact polystyrene (HIPS), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polyester (PES), Polyamide (PA),Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), Polyurethane (PU), Polycarbonate (PC),Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), Polyethylene (PE),Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PC/ABS),Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) (Polyetherketone), Polyetherimide (PEI),Polysulfone (PES), or Styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN). In a furtherembodiment, the panels are formed from thermoset polymers such asPolyimide (PI), Phenolics (PF) or (phenol formaldehydes),Urea-formaldehyde, (UF), Melamine formaldehyde (MF). In anotherembodiment, the panels are manufactured from dental polymers includingBisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (BISMA), Urethane dimethacrylate(UDMA), Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), or Ethoxylatedbisphenol-A dimethacrylate (BisEMA).

Although the forgoing materials are preferred, the list is notexhaustive of the materials that may be suitable for use for panelinserts or coatings for panel inserts. These materials may also besuitable for use with the tooth brush body as well.

In each of the embodiments shown herein, the brush or guide may have oneor more lights 74 to enhance the color differences between the tooth andthe scale as shown in FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C. The light 74 may also be of aselected wavelength for illumination of the teeth for comparison. Thelight 74 of the brush is directed to the surface of the teeth while thewhiteness guide is brought in proximity to the teeth for comparison. Inanother embodiment, the graded elements of the guide are illuminatedwith a light shown from either the back or the front surfaces of theguide to produce a consistent color for comparison with the teethregardless of the amount of ambient light that is available. The lightor lights are preferably inexpensive and low voltage such as a lightemitting diode. Battery and actuator are preferably mounted to orenclosed in the handle.

Turning now to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, a fourth embodiment of the inventionis shown to further illustrate the invention. In this embodiment, atoothbrush 80 is provided that has a body 82 with a brush head 84 andhandle 86. The back of the brush head 84 has one or more inlaid disks 88that are colored and are of a selected shade for comparison with theteeth of a patient. The color of the inlaid disks 88 may be selected asthe colors existing at the beginning of the treatment and the desiredshade at the end of the course of treatments. The disks 88 can becompared with the teeth of the patient at various times to determine theprogress of the treatments. Although two circular inlaid disks 88 areshown as an illustration, it will be understood that more that two diskscan be used and that the shape and position of the indicia on the headcan vary.

The end of handle 86 is hollow and open and has one or more windows 90that allow one to view what is in the interior of the hollow portion ofthe handle 86. Two windows 90 placed on opposite sides of the toothbrushhandle 86 are preferred. The windows 90 may be open or have atransparent covering for the opening to seal the interior.

An insert 94 that has end cap 96 and panel 98 is provided that is sizedto fit in the open end 92 of the handle 86 of the toothbrush body 82.Upon insertion of the insert 94, the sides of panel 98 are visiblethrough the windows 90 of the handle. The panel 98 can have dentist,appointment information and the like or additional whiteness indicia andthe shades of disks 88 represent the starting and ending shades, in oneembodiment.

The insert 94 has a system for securing and fastening the insert withthe handle 86. In the embodiment shown, the end cap 96 has a notch 100with a central raised knob that fits within a corresponding hole in tab102 at the end of the handle 86. The system for securing the insert 94to the handle 86 may include threads or a bayonet mount or similarsystems.

A fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. Inthis embodiment, the brush 110 has a handle 112 with a detachable brushhead 114. The distal opening 116 of brush head 114 engages the couplingpin 118 of the handle 112 reversibly securing the two pieces together.Other means for coupling the brush head 114 element with the body of thebrush 112 element can also be used.

The brush head 114 has one or more inlaid color shade disks 120 asindicia of whiteness for comparison with the teeth of the user. Analternative embodiment of the detachable brush head 114 is shown in FIG.7B to illustrate the different types of inlaid color chips 120 that canbe used. In another embodiment, the whiteness indicia consist of coloredrings around the neck of the brush head 114. The brush head 114 also hasstandard bristles 128 or some other useful device such as a gumstimulator.

In another embodiment, the brush body or brush head 114 is made ofmaterial that is the same shade of white that the patient has determinedto be cosmetically desirable and has set as the treatment goal. In thisembodiment, the toothbrush is compared with the teeth so that theprogress of the dental whitening treatments can be evaluated toward thegoal color of the brush.

The handle 112 is preferably transparent at the end opposite of thecoupling pin 118 and has a socket that can receive an insert 122. Theinsert has a panel 126 and an end cap 124 in the embodiment shown inFIG. 7A. The panel 126 of insert 122 can have appointment information,name of the dentist or patient, instructions, warnings, supplementalwhiteness indicia or some other information that is relevant to theuser. The insert 122 could also be a series of rings of differentwhiteness shades to show progression. The insert 122 may be replaced bythe dentist at the next visit, or given to the patient for replacementof the prior insert or may be installed permanently in the body of thehandle.

In another embodiment, the handle 112 comprises a standard electrictoothbrush configured to couple with the brush head 114. The end 116 ofbrush head 114 may include a socket that fits the pin 118 or may engagethe pin with friction. The indicia 120 would be compared with the teethbetween brushings.

In another embodiment, the brush and guide are part of a kit provided bythe dentist to the patient that may include: a brush with the guide,dental floss, and an instruction booklet. The guide chip is selected bythe dentist for the specific patient and permanently placed in the slotin the brush or wand.

In a further embodiment, the brush may have a first insert at the brushhead and a second insert at the handle or neck of the brush. The brushcould have two different color scales or a single scale in one slot andan insert with the patient identification, dentist identification,appointment date and time or some marketing material.

In yet another embodiment, the color indicia is applied to the brushbody in the form of rings. The rings are of the different characteristicwhiteness shades and described herein.

It is preferred that the selection of the shade indicia be a decision bydentist and the patient after an examination by the dentist. However,the panels or disk shades could be pre-selected for typical ranges andthe brushes made part of a home treatment kit with whitening productsand oral health products such as dental floss. A dental examination ispreferred to ensure the suitability of the teeth of the patient forwhitening treatments, define achievable whitening goals and to chart acourse of treatment. Existing health conditions of the patient that mayresult in discoloration of the teeth can also be identified by thedentist the manifestation of those conditions on the teeth can bemonitored by the patient with the monitoring of the shades of the teeth.A dramatic change in tooth color can be an indicator of an intensifyingmedical condition and alert the patient to consult a health careprovider.

After the initial evaluation, the dentist will typically select a panelinsert with a range of progressively lighter shades from a beginningshade to a goal. The panel insert may also include the date of the nextappointment or other information that is affixed to the side of thepanel opposite the color guide and disposed in the corresponding slot inthe brush body. The opening of the slot containing the insert may besealed with a sealant or the end cap glued into place. Alternatively,the panel insert may be reversibly secured and withdrawn from the slotin the brush body for use by the patient. The insert can have newinformation applied and transferred to another toothbrush body at thenext appointment.

The indicia may also be colored disks that are selected and placed intothe brush head or body and secured with adhesive. Alternatively, brusheswith inlays of different shades can be pre-assembled. New toothbrushesor brushes with detachable heads with color shades for that particulartime frame can be given to the patient at the end of the examination ortreatment session.

In use, the patient or user of the guide can evaluate the success of adental whitening procedure or monitor the progress of home appliedwhitening schemes. The user can compare the existing shade of the teethwith the goal or standard and can make an informed decision about goingback to the dentist for additional treatments or if a particulartreatment was unsuccessful and further evaluation is needed by thedentist. The patient can also determine when it is time to haveadditional whitening as the tooth surfaces change colors over time anduse. Dramatic changes in tooth color that indicate an associated healthproblem can also be identified potentially leading to early diagnosisand treatment.

Accordingly, the invention can be embodied in various ways whichinclude, but are not limited to, the following:

1. A tooth shade indicator apparatus, comprising: a brush body with abrush head with bristles; and a tooth shade indicator coupled to saidbrush body; wherein a user's tooth color can be visually compared withsaid tooth shade indicator.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said tooth shadeindicator includes at least one color from a VITA, IVOCLAR, or othercosmetic dental color scale.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said tooth shadeindicator comprises disks of different shades inlaid in the brush bodyand brush head.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising an insertconfigured to slide within a slot within said brush head, wherein saidtooth shade indicator is mounted to said insert.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising an insertconfigured to slide within a slot within said brush body, wherein saidtooth shade indicator is mounted to said insert.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising a secondinsert configured to slide within a slot within said brush head of saidbrush body, wherein said tooth shade indicator is mounted to said secondinsert and treatment information is printed on said first insert.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a light sourcecoupled to said brush body configured to illuminate teeth of a user whencomparing said tooth shade indicator with the teeth of a user.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a light sourcecoupled to said brush body configured to illuminate said shadeindicator.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: an insertconfigured to slide within a slot within said brush body, said inserthaving an end cap and a panel with a top surface and a bottom surface;wherein information is applied to said top and bottom surfaces; andwherein the tooth shade indicator comprises disks of different shadesinlaid in the brush head.

10. A tooth shade indicator apparatus, comprising: an indicator body; adetachable head configured to reversibly couple with said indicatorbody; and a tooth shade indicator coupled to said detachable head;wherein a user's tooth color can be visually compared with said toothshade indicator.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said tooth shadeindicator comprises disks of different shades inlaid in the detachablehead.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said tooth shadeindicator comprises rings of different shades inlaid in the detachablehead.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 10, further comprising an insertconfigured to slide within a slot within said brush body, said insertcomprising a handle and a panel with top and bottom surfaces; andwherein information is applied to said top and bottom surfaces of saidpanel.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, further comprising a toothshade indicator applied to a top surface of said panel and informationapplied to said bottom surface of said panel; and wherein said toothshade indicator comprises the color of the detachable head.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 10, said indicator body furthercomprising an electric toothbrush motor configured to rapidly alternatedirections of rotation of a brush on said detachable head.

16. A tooth shade indicator apparatus, comprising: an indicator bodywith an indicator head that has the color of a cosmetically desirabletooth shade of white; an insert sized to fit within a socket in saidindicator body, said insert having an outer surface; and a tooth shadeindicator coupled to said outer surface of said insert; wherein a user'stooth color can be visually compared with said indicator head color toevaluate treatment progress and said tooth shade indicator to determinea tooth shade.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, further comprising informationregarding a dental treatment applied to the outer surface of said insertin addition to the tooth shade indicator.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, further comprising a lightsource coupled to said indicator body configured to illuminate teeth ofa user when comparing said shade indicator with the teeth of a user.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said indicator bodyfurther comprises a fastener configured to secure said insert withinsaid socket and a plurality of windows; wherein said outer surface ofsaid insert is visible from the exterior of the indicator body whensecured within said socket.

20. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, further comprising: a secondinsert sized to fit within a second socket in said indicator body orsaid indicator head, said second insert having an outer surface withinformation regarding a dental treatment applied to the outer surface ofsaid second insert.

21. A tooth shade indicator apparatus, comprising: a toothbrush headwith bristles; and a tooth shade indicator associated with saidtoothbrush head.

22. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said tooth shadeindicator includes at least one color from a VITA, IVOCLAR, or othercosmetic dental color scale.

23. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said tooth shadeindicator comprises the color at least a portion of said toothbrushhead.

24. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said tooth shadeindicator is inlaid in said toothbrush head.

25. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said tooth shadeindicator comprises disks of different shades inlaid in said toothbrushhead.

26. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, further comprising an insertconfigured to slide within a slot within said toothbrush head, whereinsaid tooth shade indicator is coupled to said insert.

27. An apparatus as recited in claim 26, further comprising a secondinsert configured to slide within said slot within said slot in saidtoothbrush head, wherein said tooth shade indicator is coupled to saidsecond insert and treatment information is printed on said first insert.

28. A tooth shade indicator apparatus, comprising: a toothbrush body;and a tooth shade indicator associated with said toothbrush body.

29. An apparatus as recited in claim 28, wherein said tooth shadeindicator includes at least one color from a VITA, IVOCLAR, or othercosmetic dental color scale.

30. An apparatus as recited in claim 29, wherein said tooth shadeindicator comprises the color at least a portion of said toothbrushbody.

31. An apparatus as recited in claim 29, wherein said tooth shadeindicator is inlaid in said toothbrush body.

32. An apparatus as recited in claim 29, wherein said tooth shadeindicator comprises disks of different shades inlaid in said toothbrushbody.

33. An apparatus as recited in claim 29, further comprising an insertconfigured to slide within said slot within said toothbrush body,wherein said tooth shade indicator is coupled to said insert.

34. An apparatus as recited in claim 33, further comprising a secondinsert configured to slide within a slot within said toothbrush body,wherein said tooth shade indicator is coupled to said second insert andtreatment information is printed on said first insert.

35. An apparatus as recited in claim 28, further comprising a lightsource coupled to said brush body configured to illuminate teeth of auser when comparing said shade indicator with the teeth of a user.

36. An apparatus as recited in claim 28, further comprising a lightsource coupled to said brush body configured to illuminate said shadeindicator.

37. An apparatus as recited in claim 28, further comprising: an insertconfigured to slide within a slot within said brush body, said inserthaving an end cap and a panel with a top surface and a bottom surface;wherein information is applied to said top and bottom surfaces; andwherein the tooth shade indicator comprises disks of different shadesinlaid in the brush head.

It will further appreciated that any of the aforementioned embodimentsor inventive concepts can be can be packaged with other instruments anddevices, can be shaped into any desired shape or style, and can be partof an overall treatment or marketing system.

For example, the invention can be a component of a bleaching system,which would not only allow the invention to be used for treatmentevaluation but to potentially increase sales of bleach, advertiseservices, or encourage patients to see the dentist more often forevaluation or treatment.

Furthermore, the invention could be configured so that it slides into orotherwise couples to a floss box, bleach material dispenser, stand orother device.

Embodiments of the invention may include a slot or other receptacle intowhich one or more tooth shade indicators can be inserted by sliding orotherwise. Written stickers, labels, materials with a writable surface,lights, identification tags, id tags, marketing information, or evennovelty products such as those bearing Disney, Star Wars, Barbie, etc.optionally can be inserted as well. All of these items can optionally beremovable by the patient or optionally locked into the device by adental professional or other person. Even nail polish, lipstick or othercolor samples optionally could be inserted.

Embodiments of the invention may include manual versions, electricversions, or hybrids. The entire toothbrush, any part thereof, or atooth shade indicator associated with any part of the toothbrushoptionally can be a desired color, multiple colors in a graduatedshading pattern indicating stages of whitening or color change, orinclude the existing color of a patient's tooth or teeth for comparison.Colors are preferably selected from VITA, IVOCLAR, or other cosmeticdental color scales used in the profession.

Furthermore, is will be appreciated that the use of the invention as awhitening evaluation gauge, advertising media, or the like, couldencourage more frequent dental visits and potentially allow for earlydetection of dental disease such as periodontal disease, caries, etc.,protect a person from dental disease becoming worse, or even save aperson's life by early detection of oral cancer or other systemicdiseases manifested in the oral cavity.

Although the description above contains many details, these should notbe construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merelyproviding illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodimentsof this invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope ofthe present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which maybecome obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of thepresent invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than theappended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is notintended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, butrather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functionalequivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodimentthat are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expresslyincorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed bythe present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or methodto address each and every problem sought to be solved by the presentinvention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore,no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure isintended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether theelement, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims.No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recitedusing the phrase “means for.”

1. A tooth shade indicator apparatus, comprising: a brush body with abrush head with bristles; and a tooth shade indicator coupled to saidbrush body; wherein a user's tooth color can be visually compared withsaid tooth shade indicator.
 2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1,wherein said tooth shade indicator includes at least one color from aVITA, IVOCLAR, or other cosmetic dental color scale.
 3. An apparatus asrecited in claim 1, wherein said tooth shade indicator comprises disksof different shades inlaid in the brush body and brush head.
 4. Anapparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising an insert configuredto slide within a slot within said brush head, wherein said tooth shadeindicator is mounted to said insert.
 5. An apparatus as recited in claim1, further comprising an insert configured to slide within a slot withinsaid brush body, wherein said tooth shade indicator is mounted to saidinsert.
 6. An apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising asecond insert configured to slide within a slot within said brush headof said brush body, wherein said tooth shade indicator is mounted tosaid second insert and treatment information is printed on said firstinsert.
 7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising alight source coupled to said brush body configured to illuminate teethof a user when comparing said shade indicator with the teeth of a user.8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a light sourcecoupled to said brush body configured to illuminate said shadeindicator.
 9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: aninsert configured to slide within a slot within said brush body, saidinsert having an end cap and a panel with a top surface and a bottomsurface; wherein information is applied to said top and bottom surfaces;and wherein the tooth shade indicator comprises disks of differentshades inlaid in the brush head.
 10. A tooth shade indicator apparatus,comprising: an indicator body; a detachable head configured toreversibly couple with said indicator body; and a tooth shade indicatorcoupled to said detachable head; wherein a user's tooth color can bevisually compared with said tooth shade indicator.
 11. An apparatus asrecited in claim 10, wherein said tooth shade indicator comprises disksof different shades inlaid in the detachable head.
 12. An apparatus asrecited in claim 10, wherein said tooth shade indicator comprises ringsof different shades inlaid in the detachable head.
 13. An apparatus asrecited in claim 10, further comprising an insert configured to slidewithin a slot within said brush body, said insert comprising a handleand a panel with top and bottom surfaces; and wherein information isapplied to said top and bottom surfaces of said panel.
 14. An apparatusas recited in claim 13, further comprising: a tooth shade indicatorapplied to a top surface of said panel and information applied to saidbottom surface of said panel; and wherein said tooth shade indicatorcomprises the color of the detachable head.
 15. An apparatus as recitedin claim 10, said indicator body further comprising an electrictoothbrush motor configured to rapidly alternate directions of rotationof a brush on said detachable head.
 16. A tooth shade indicatorapparatus, comprising: an indicator body with an indicator head that hasthe color of a cosmetically desirable tooth shade of white; an insertsized to fit within a socket in said indicator body, said insert havingan outer surface; and a tooth shade indicator coupled to said outersurface of said insert; wherein a user's tooth color can be visuallycompared with said indicator head color to evaluate treatment progressand said tooth shade indicator to determine a tooth shade.
 17. Anapparatus as recited in claim 16, further comprising informationregarding a dental treatment applied to the outer surface of said insertin addition to the tooth shade indicator.
 18. An apparatus as recited inclaim 16, further comprising a light source coupled to said indicatorbody configured to illuminate teeth of a user when comparing said shadeindicator with the teeth of a user.
 19. An apparatus as recited in claim16, wherein said indicator body further comprises a fastener configuredto secure said insert within said socket and a plurality of windows;wherein said outer surface of said insert is visible from the exteriorof the indicator body when secured within said socket.
 20. An apparatusas recited in claim 16, further comprising: a second insert sized to fitwithin a second socket in said indicator body or said indicator head,said second insert having an outer surface with information regarding adental treatment applied to the outer surface of said second insert. 21.A tooth shade indicator apparatus, comprising: a toothbrush head withbristles; and a tooth shade indicator associated with said toothbrushhead.
 22. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, wherein said tooth shadeindicator includes at least one color from a VITA, IVOCLAR, or othercosmetic dental color scale.
 23. An apparatus as recited in claim 22,wherein said tooth shade indicator comprises the color at least aportion of said toothbrush head.
 24. An apparatus as recited in claim22, wherein said tooth shade indicator is inlaid in said toothbrushhead.
 25. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said tooth shadeindicator comprises disks of different shades inlaid in said toothbrushhead.
 26. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, further comprising aninsert configured to slide within a slot within said toothbrush head,wherein said tooth shade indicator is coupled to said insert.
 27. Anapparatus as recited in claim 26, further comprising a second insertconfigured to slide within said slot within said slot in said toothbrushhead, wherein said tooth shade indicator is coupled to said secondinsert and treatment information is printed on said first insert.
 28. Atooth shade indicator apparatus, comprising: a toothbrush body; and atooth shade indicator associated with said toothbrush body.
 29. Anapparatus as recited in claim 28, wherein said tooth shade indicatorincludes at least one color from a VITA, IVOCLAR, or other cosmeticdental color scale.
 30. An apparatus as recited in claim 29, whereinsaid tooth shade indicator comprises the color at least a portion ofsaid toothbrush body.
 31. An apparatus as recited in claim 29, whereinsaid tooth shade indicator is inlaid in said toothbrush body.
 32. Anapparatus as recited in claim 29, wherein said tooth shade indicatorcomprises disks of different shades inlaid in said toothbrush body. 33.An apparatus as recited in claim 29, further comprising an insertconfigured to slide within said slot within said toothbrush body,wherein said tooth shade indicator is coupled to said insert.
 34. Anapparatus as recited in claim 33, further comprising a second insertconfigured to slide within a slot within said toothbrush body, whereinsaid tooth shade indicator is coupled to said second insert andtreatment information is printed on said first insert.
 35. An apparatusas recited in claim 28, further comprising a light source coupled tosaid brush body configured to illuminate teeth of a user when comparingsaid shade indicator with the teeth of a user.
 36. An apparatus asrecited in claim 28, further comprising a light source coupled to saidbrush body configured to illuminate said shade indicator.
 37. Anapparatus as recited in claim 28, further comprising: an insertconfigured to slide within a slot within said brush body, said inserthaving an end cap and a panel with a top surface and a bottom surface;wherein information is applied to said top and bottom surfaces; andwherein the tooth shade indicator comprises disks of different shadesinlaid in the brush head.